Japanese Literary Awards

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Setsuko Shinoda

しのだ せつこ

Shinoda Setsuko

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1955-10-23 （Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan

Career

Occupations
novelist, horror writer, science fiction writer, mystery writer
Active Years
1990-
Affiliations
Mystery Writers of Japan, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan
Memberships
Mystery Writers of Japan, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan

Education

Tokyo Metropolitan Fujimori High School
Country: Japan
Tokyo Gakugei University
Faculty of Education
Degree: 学士
Country: Japan

Awards

Shosetsu Subaru New Writer Prize
1990
Work: Kinuno Hen'yō (Silk's Metamorphosis)
Organization: Shueisha
Result: 受賞
Yamamoto Shugoro Prize
1997
Work: Gosaintan — Seat of God
Organization: Yamamoto Shugoro Prize
Result: 受賞
Naoki Prize
1997
Work: Women’s Jihad
Organization: Naoki Prize
Result: 受賞
Shibata Renzaburo Award
2009
Work: Virtual Ritual
Organization: Shibata Renzaburo Award
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
2011
Work: Stabat Mater
Organization: Art Encouragement Prize
Result: 受賞
Chuo Koron Literary Prize
2015
Work: Indo Crystal
Organization: Chuo Koron Shinsha
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize
2019
Work: Back of the Mirror
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji Prize
Result: 受賞
Medal with Purple Ribbon
2020
Organization: Cabinet Office (Japan)
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kinuno Hen'yō (Silk's Metamorphosis)

1991 Horror / science fiction elements

A mid-length horror with panic-SF touches. Her debut piece that attracted attention.

fearscientific elementssocial anxiety

Women’s Jihad

1997 Linked short stories / social novel

A linked short-story collection depicting young career women navigating a male-dominated society. An unusual work that grew from an editor's request and won the Naoki Prize.

women's lifestylescareermarriage and pregnancysocial structure
Adaptations
  • [Television drama] Women's Holy War (TV adaptation) (1997)

Gosaintan — Seat of God

1996 Legendary / adventure fiction

A long work with legendary elements, dealing with religious motifs and mythic themes.

religionmythadventure

Virtual Ritual

2008 Social SF / dystopia

A major work that depicts ritualistic phenomena against the backdrop of an information-driven, managed society. Winner of the Shibata Renzaburo Award.

bureaucratic societyreligion and belieftechnology
Adaptations
  • [Television drama] Virtual Ritual (NHK Premium Drama) (2023)

Indo Crystal

2014 Literary / social novel

A long novel that explores the intersections of cultures and civilizations and human endeavors. Winner of the Chuo Koron Literary Prize.

clash of civilizationsindividual and society

Back of the Mirror

2018 Literary fiction

A work that delicately portrays human interiority and relationships. Winner of the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Prize.

human relationshipsmemory and self

Canon

1996 Music horror

A horror novel centered on music. Adapted for television by WOWOW.

musicfear
Adaptations
  • [Television drama] Canon (WOWOW) (2002)

Summer Calamity

1995 Medical panic / mystery

A novel about medical panic. It was nominated for the Naoki Prize and adapted for television.

medical issuessocial vulnerability
Adaptations
  • [Television drama] Virus Panic 2006 Summer — The Town Was Infected (based on Summer Calamity) (2006)

Bibliography

  • Kinuno Hen'yō (Silk's Metamorphosis)
  • Forger
  • Blue Honeymoon
  • Transformation (reissued as Maestro)
  • Aquarium
  • Sanctuary
  • Summer Calamity
  • Canon
  • Gosaintan — Seat of God
  • Women’s Jihad
  • The Saito Family's Nuclear Warhead
  • A Hundred Years of Love
  • Indo Crystal
  • Virtual Ritual
  • Back of the Mirror

Adaptations

  • Women’s Jihad → NHK drama 'Women's Holy War (Jihad)'
  • Canon → WOWOW TV drama (2002)
  • Virtual Ritual → NHK Premium Drama (2023)
  • Summer Calamity → TV adaptation (Virus Panic 2006 Summer)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
genre-blending across horror, SF and mysterysocially critical, calm and meticulously plotted prosecombination of ensemble casts and intimate interior description
Recurring Motifs
bureaucratic/managed societiesreligion and ritualpatriarchy and gendermusic and artistic motifsmedical and scientific crises

Legacy

Known for an original style that crosses horror, SF and mystery, Shinoda has been highly regarded for socially critical works. Her many literary awards and TV adaptations have also broadened her influence among general audiences.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of Japan
  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan

Archives

  • Holdings at the National Diet Library of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Works such as 'Women’s Jihad' have been adapted for television and become widely known to general audiences.
  • Works themed on music and religion have been adapted and featured in media.

Quotes

  • It was unexpected and unwelcome.
    Source: Interview after the award (1997)

Trivia

  • Hobbies include playing the cello; she collaborated with singer Kumiko Yamashita.
  • Worked as a municipal office employee and helped establish a public library.
  • Experienced a miscarriage during pregnancy (publicly reported).
  • Married, no children (public information).
  • Served as a judge for the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen (1997).